Final Four week begins

And it wouldn't be Final Four week without an Izzo-to-_____ story. This time it's a TV station in Oregon, citing anonymous sources who say he'll be offered the largest contract in college basketball.

    Izzo was just on a teleconference with the other Final Four coaches and was asked about Oregon. He said he hasn't been contacted, mentioned that when you have some success "you get to be one of 10 names that pop up for something." He then said he wouldn't comment further during Final Four week.

    "I've got a job to do and I'm happy with the job I have," he said.

    Even if Oregon had any chance of getting Izzo to listen seriously (I don't believe so), this is the worst possible scenario for the Ducks. It's framed as a money thing, the richest contract in basketball. Even if Izzo liked the job, that alone would probably scare him off because he hates the salary talk and people thinking he's about money. If he was just about money, he could have taken NBA jobs that pay a lot more than his current salary. There was a chance before with Kentucky. Maybe even Indiana. Because those are blue-blood programs with built-in recruiting advantages in the range of his home base. No way on Oregon. In my opinion.

    Interestingly, Izzo was asked about the six Final Fours in 12 years and he said he didn't think about it now and probably wouldn't even take much time to appreciate it in the offseason. That kind of stuff, he said, is best left to enjoy upon retirement.

    "I get to do that in 15 years or so," he said.

    Talk about music to your ears. As the Sonata rolls through the flatlands of Illinois (thanks for the XM, guys at Enterprise), here is today's game story and column on how Izzo and his players got it done when it mattered. And do not miss this photo gallery from Rod Sanford. Tons of great images there.